Sandstorm tells the story of Hetian Ying, a mid-level Chinese police officer. For twelve days and nights, he and his wife are trapped in their home during a massive sandstorm covering a large area of China. They are devastated that their young daughter is missing in the storm, electricity and phone communication have been cut off, and their food, water and medical supplies are running out. Caring for his dying wife in this isolation, Hetian Ying’s conscience starts to emerge.

 

As a pre-release work in progress, Sandstorm earned 29 significant creative awards at numerous film festivals that included 12 best picture nods.

 

Sandstorm evolved from Writer and Director Michael Mahonen’s adoption of the Falun Gong practice and research into first-hand accounts of persecution and deception by Chinese government propagandists.